Arsene Wenger keen on Albanian defender

ARSENAL could be ready to make a £15million bid for Albania right-back Elseid Hysaj, according to the Daily Star.

The 22-year-old recently ended an impressive first season at Napoli after joining them on a five-year deal from fellow Italian side Empoli.

That form alerted a number of potential suitors, with Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea having all shown interest.

However, with another highly talented youngster in Hector Bellerin currently occupying the right-back position at Arsenal, the signing of Hysaj appears not to be such a priority as other areas within the team – most notably a world-class striker.

Calum Chambers, 21, and Carl Jenkinson, 24, are also on the Gunners’ books, although the latter has spent the past two seasons on loan at West Ham. France international Mathieu Debuchy is another option to fill the right-back role, but he looks set to leave the Emirates after Euro 2016 after falling out of favour and spending the last campaign back in his homeland on loan at Bordeaux.

Despite appearing to have plenty of cover on the right side of defence, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen to add depth to both full-back positions and the fact Hysaj – who is currently with the Albanian team at Euro 2016 – can also operate on the left would make him a useful addition.

The paper also claim Bayern Munich defender Rafinha is on Wenger’s radar, although at the age of 30, Hysaj would seem a more suitable long-term option if Wenger did feel the need to bring in yet another full-back.